Sound interesting? The specialized techniques that give you permanent cosmetic make-up use terms such as micro-pigmentation, micro-pigment implantation and derma-graphics to describe the process. So what does that mean? I am trying to say that the creation of permanent cosmetic make-up involves the use of cosmetic implantation techniques to insert minute pigment implants into the dermal layer of the skin to enhance various features, though the most common permanent cosmetic make-up procedures are performed to create eyeliners, enhance eyebrows and produce full lip color.

The technician who performs the procedure will use either a tattoo or coil machine, pen or rotary machines or non-mechanized hand tools. So, if you are fed up of stringy eyebrows, smeared make-up, colorless lips and non-existent borders, or need to hide some scars, permanent cosmetic make-up is the thing for you. Would you believe that you can even tattoo or re-pigment an areola (after breast reconstruction) using permanent cosmetic make-up?

Some women say that the procedure hurts a little, but most say the pain has been no more than that you'd feel during waxing, since most technicians use topical cream anesthetics to deaden the area under the tattoo machines.

First you must find a properly qualified technician. There have been recorded cases of permanent cosmetic make-up procedures going wrong, though they are the exceptions rather than the rule. In all probability, you will meet several women who have permanent cosmetic make-up and have nothing but praise for it.

So what should you look for in a technician? First look for a website and check if it provides complete information about a particular technician. If you think you'd like to contact someone, make sure you read up about the procedure as much as you can before you get in touch with that person and find out about costs and other details. Self-informed is best informed!

Once you do that, ask prospective technicians how many procedures they have done and their training. Ask for photographic evidence of their work and base your judgment on that. Also, study the technicians to evaluate their level of concern towards your problems and see whether they answer your queries readily. Most importantly, ask detailed questions about hygiene and procedural safety. Only after you are satisfied on all counts should you ask about costs, and even here, be suspicious about rates that seem too good to be true. They probably are!

Tags: micro pigment, micro pigmentation,

Tags: Cosmetics/Make-up

The reason that mascara is so necessary is because it enhances the eyes. Many people agree that the eyes are the most attractive feature, and mascara's sole purpose is to call attention to the eyes and accent them, framing them with long, thick lashes. Mascara works by coating the lashes with a cosmetic that causes them to curl up and away from the eyes. This leaves the eye looking more open and wider. Additionally, the coating also creates a thickness on the lashes. This serves to better frame the eye and draw attention to this "window."

Even if you do not have time to meticulously apply eye shadow, you can help enhance your eyes by quickly applying mascara. Eye shadow is not even strictly necessary when one has mascara on. It is a quick beauty tip that can help the eye look more beautiful without having to "over dress" it with shadow. Just like the basic black dress, it adds a simple and almost natural elegance that can actually be marred by greater flamboyance.

Another thing that is great about mascara is its adaptability. You can choose different types of mascara depending on your mood or your needs. There are different styles of mascara that you can choose, depending upon how your natural lashes look. Just as the cut of a dress can help enhance how you look, choosing lengthening mascara or thickening mascara can help you fit your choice to the needs of your eyes. It is possible to do the basic black dress one better when you use mascara to dress your eyes. Mascara comes in a variety of shades and colors so that you can get a more natural look by wearing something closer to your natural hair color, or create dramatic effect by wearing blue or purple mascara that can serve to further enhance the look of your eyes.

Mascara comes in two main varieties: regular and waterproof. Each of these has its own benefits. Regular mascara is easier to remove, and it can be less irritating to the eyes. Waterproof mascara, on the other hand, is advantageous because it allows you to look great at the beach or at a pool party. It stays on much longer, and it is resistant to smearing and streaking, even when crying (It's perfect for the Oscars.). If you plan to be working out or being near water, waterproof mascara can be a great choice.

But, just like anything close to the eye, it is important to use mascara with caution. Carefully apply it, taking care to avoid getting it in your eyes. You should never apply mascara while in a moving vehicle, whether it is a train or a car, and you definitely should not attempt its application while you are driving. Suddenly stops, turns, or jolts can result in serious eye injury. There are also health concerns when using mascara. You should never use someone else's mascara. The germs that others have and live with are different from the ones that your body is used to. The eyes are very sensitive and can easily be infected by foreign organisms. Most mascara is only good for use for about three months. After that it tends to be contaminated and dry. Try to buy a new tube every three months, and avoid moistening the mascara with your saliva or with tap water. Again, this can cause eye infection.

Using mascara properly as a member of your beauty repertoire can help you feel better about yourself and easily enhance your most attractive feature: you eyes. The fact that it can be used along to affect a significant change in your look is enough to secure mascara as the "basic black dress" of cosmetics.

Tags: Cosmetics/Make-up

Your best weapon in the war for great skin, especially on your face, is a daily beauty regimen of cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and sun protection. Use quality products, and be consistent as your results will reflect your effort.

Cleansing
A healthy face is a clean face free of unwanted bacteria, sweat, dirt and oil. Traditional bar soaps, however, may dry your skin, leaving it itchy and unpleasant. That's where specialized facial cleansers come in: they are designed to clean your face and remove old make-up and dead skin cells without removing the fat cells that keep skin soft or damaging the protective layers that shield your skin from the elements. Consider using beauty bars, soap for sensitive skin or commercial gentle facial cleaning products, such as cleansing creams that can be gently massaged into your skin. Pay special attention to your chin and nose, which are the most likely areas for blackheads to show up. For extra convenience, you may even want to try the pre-moistened cleaning pads or wipes that have been on the market for a few years.

Before you wash your entire face, you may need to take special measures to remove old make-up (always before bed, ladies). Eye-cleansing lotion and a bit of cotton can help remove mascara and eye shadow. Be gentle when removing eye make up because the skin around your eyes is thin, sensitive and particularly prone to damage.

Toning
A quality toning product will remove any trace of dirt or make up that might have escaped your cleanser. It will also help tighten pores to keep your skin looking great. Be sure to work your toner into the forehead and cheeks using a small wool pad, as well as into any crevices or wrinkles around the nose and chin. If you have the budget, try a professional mud mask periodically.

Moisture matters
There are so many moisturizers available that you could use a different one each day of the year without repeating. Fun, maybe, but you're probably better off choosing a single brand and sticking it to it as long as it works well for you.

The most basic functions of a moisturizer are to seal in your skin's natural moisture and to protect your skin from the outside elements and environmental pollutants that could otherwise irritate your face. Manufacturers and marketers of moisturizers, however, often overlook those goals in their haste to claim the latest miracles that their product can initiate. Some of the claims are quite fantastic - and are just that fantasy-based (taking ten years off your face after one week of use, for example). If you really want a miracle anti-aging product, use a moisturizer with sunscreen. Otherwise, almost any moisturizer will do what it is meant to do: trap moisture and protect your skin

Sun protection
Nothing will age your face more quickly than unprotected exposure to the sun. If you want to have healthy, young-looking skin for decades, it is important to wear sun protection every single day, regardless of the season. Just because you can't feel the sun's heat in the middle of winter does not mean the UV-rays are not reaching your skin.

Sun protection with SPF 15 is considered the minimum acceptable daily sun protection. Your lips must also be protected, so ensure that once you've slathered your cheeks with sun block, that you do your lips as well (try lip balm with built-in sun protection for an easy fix). Be sure to reapply your sun protection product if you intend to spend a great deal of time outside or if you will be in the water.

Get sassy:
After your cheeks and the rest of your face are clean and healthy, it's time to dress them up. Add a little sass by applying blush. When you have it in the right place, blush should never be lower than your nose or any closer to it than the centre of your eye's iris.

Using a large brush, apply blush from the apple of your cheeks upward toward your eye and then blend it with the edges of a dry make up sponge.

Don't be afraid to show your cheeky side - feel free to use different shades of blush; lighter in spring and summer and darker in fall and winter. Keep in mind though, that if you have oily skin, the color of your blush may change as the day wears on.

Tags: Cosmetics/Make-up

The first place you will want to look in order to create bigger, bolder, and more expressive eyes is to your eyeliner. Eyeliner can be the cure to your small eye blues, but only if you use the correct techniques. First of all, you will want to line the entire top lash line and then extend that line slightly at the corners of your eye. If you like, you can also line the bottoms of your eyes, but make sure you concentrate color only on the outside third of the eye and extend is just slightly past the edge. Don't be too dramatic, but just a slight line beyond the outside edge will do the trick. Keep in mind that a soft and smoky look will open your eyes up more than thin hard lines of liner will. Use dark and neutral colors with just a little hint of black for lining, since bright shades are what will make your eyes look even smaller.

The other place to concentrate your eye enlargement efforts will be on your lashes. Eyelashes are a great eye opener. Before you ever apply mascara, you will want to curl your lashes three times: once at the base, another half way up, and a third time at the tip. This will help to create a gentle, rounded curl of your eyelash. Then, as you apply your mascara, take care to fan out your lashes as you go. Do so by brushing the inner third of your lashes toward your nose. Pull the middle third straight out. Then, take the outer third of your lashes and brush them toward your temples. By exaggerating your eyelashes in this manner, you will be able to draw attention to your eyes and help them to stand out. The more they stand out, the bigger they will appear to be.

Thirdly, look to your eye shadow. Use caution when doing so, however. Though it is a commonly held belief, dramatic eye shadow will not make your eyes stand out. The truth of the matter is, it will do just the opposite. Too much dramatic eye shadow will cause your eyes to shrink by shading them back into your face. If you do have small eyes, you will want to keep eye shadow really simple. Use only light-colored shadows first of all. Secondly, never wear more than two shades at one time. Remember, simplicity will be your friend here. Brush a light, subtle base color form your lashes to your brow. Next, use a slightly darker shade to create just a subtle definition in your eyelid's crease. By keeping your shadow simple and subtle, you can enhance your eyes and avoid hiding them on your face.

A fourth way to enhance your eyes is to work on the area around them. For instance, dark circles will make your eyes look even smaller than they are. If you have deep circles around your eyes, they can even make your eyes look sunken. To fix the problem, use a concealer that is just slightly lighter in the dark circle areas. By simply ridding yourself of the circles, you will be able to enhance your eyes.

Lastly, think about the shape of your eyebrows when trying to enhance your eyes. Your eyes will seem smaller and closer together if you have brows that are too close together or heavy. To help spread out your eyes and open them, tweeze your eyebrows further out than you might normally. If possible, it is best to get your eyebrows about an eye length apart if you can.

Large eyes may be a blessing, but small eyes are not a problem. By simply understanding where to concentrate your efforts, you make those small eyes pop and look great. Practice your makeup techniques and taking care of the skin around your eyes and you will find that opening and enlarging your eyes is easy and even a little bit fun.

Tags: Cosmetics/Make-up

Of course this is using standard makeup and the downside is that some makeup can clog the pores. Consider changing brands to a makeup that does not clog pores and perhaps even to a makeup that is designed specifically for teenagers who have acne problems. Many times these makeup will come with complete instructions. This can make the job a lot easier. Also these makeup products often contain a topical ingredient that kills bacteria and helps to clean out pores. Look for non-allergic makeup that can help reduced the redness and reactions of skin irritations.

In addition, preparation for application of makeup can be easier with proper hygiene. Over washing the face can actually damage the skin, but carefully washing the face once or twice a day, especially with cold water and a mild soap or cleanser can do wonders. Also proper skin care using moisturizers and exfoliants can help keep the skin clear and healthy and help to keep the acne problem in check.

Many young women choose to forego the wearing of makeup when acne is causing problems, but many teenage young women find that the anxiety of teenage years is lessened when one can wear makeup. Covering up the unsightly blemishes can raise their self-esteem. There is really no right or wrong concerning wearing make up over acne. Every young woman facing the problem of acne must make her own choice as to what is best for her in this instance. Just as young men must decide if shaving is something they want to engage in during acne outbreaks, young women must deal with acne and makeup.

Consulting a specialist in makeup can often be a good place to start when determining the type of makeup best to use during these years. Many department stores have makeup specialists who receive specialized training in this area. Most make up associates are particularly empathetic to the plight of the teenage girl, since they were once teenage girls themselves. Many of these department stores hold special workshops and seminars on makeup application, and those that cater to teenagers often take up the subject of acne blemishes and both how to cover them up properly and how to fight acne with proper skin care.

There are also direct sales organizations that specialize in providing high quality cosmetics to women, and many of these companies, with good reputations gained from years in the business, have specially designed products that fight acne and make the process of applying makeup during an outbreak easier than it used to be. Finding a good makeup artist who can help you with this process is a big help with the problem of acne and makeup application.

One tip that can help teenage girls that enjoy wearing makeup is to try several special products and visit local make up counters at the malls and department stores. This can help young girls find make up and other facial products that are helpful. When visiting department stores to find a specific brand of make up, try several lines and colors. Also, build trust with the sales associate so that you can get better tips about makeup. Make sure they understand that you suffer from acne and are looking for products to lessen the severity of outbreaks.

Tags: Cosmetics/Make-up

Of course there is. All you need to learn is a few creative acne makeup concealing tips to help you look your very best at school, work or play.

Remember — Makeup conceals acne, it doesn't cure it.
But you already knew that, right? Using makeup to conceal acne isn't difficult, but there are some basic rules that you should always follow.

Your basic acne makeup toolkit
Your three acne-hiding makeup weapons will be a concealer, a foundation and a finishing powder. Stay away from the dollar store brands and use only brand names that you can trust.

Choose only oil-free makeup products that match your skin tone. Oil-free is the key to success here so read the labels carefully. You don't want to aggravate your existing acne problem by layering a fresh coat of oil on skin that already has too much to begin with. Choose a hypoallergenic brand while you're at it.

If this is the first time that you are using a new brand, test the makeup by applying small dabs to a spot under your jaw to see how your skin reacts. If you are going to have a problem you'll know within an hour or so after applying it. Nothing's worse than adding more blotches to an already colorful face.

Before you begin
Wash your face with your normal face cleansing product and pat dry. Apply your acne medication per the instructions and let it dry thoroughly.

Start with the concealer
Apply the concealer in a light dabbing motion directly to any dark blotches or red areas that the acne has produced on your skin. Blend the concealer in using a disposable facial sponge. Use the concealer sparingly. You can always apply more if you need too but you don't want to layer it on too thickly. It will look terrible when it dries.

Next, apply the foundation
Apply the foundation sparingly as well and use a light dabbing motion here too. Blend the foundation with your sponge and reapply to any areas that need it.

For the final touch
Apply a light layer of the oil-free powder using a large makeup brush. This will take care of any shine that the acne concealer and foundation left behind and it will give you an even and finished look.

Throw away the disposable sponges when you are through so you don't transfer yesterday's skin oil to tomorrow's clean face!

Before you go to bed
Wash your face thoroughly to remove all makeup before you go to bed, but preferably as soon as you can after you return home. You want your skin to breath and your acne to get as much fresh air as possible.

Tags: free makeup,

Tags: Cosmetics/Make-up

As the base for all the make-up you apply to your face, improper application of your foundation will play a large part in whether your look stays a success or a flop. There are two major decisions to be made when it comes to selecting the right foundation for you - color and consistency. The first is imperative because the tone of the foundation you choose must blend well with the natural tone of your skin. It is important that the line where you have stopped applying the foundation is not evident. By matching the foundation to your skin tone as closely as possible you will be able to avoid any color conflicts. Selecting a tone that most closely matches your skin tone will also help to enhance your own natural beauty.

The second choice to be made is perhaps a little more difficult - whether to choose a powder foundation or a liquid foundation. For some the choice may seem simple. Many people who have been using foundation for years have found one that they stand by and would never dream of switching away from. However, for those who are new to the world of make-up or for those who are not satisfied with their current foundation, the choice between a liquid or powder foundation may be more difficult.

If a number of women were polled to find out whether they prefer liquid or powder foundations, it may become evident that many women seem to opt for liquid foundation. Many people feel that liquid foundation is the quickest and easiest to apply which makes it a more practical choice for women who use the product on a daily basis. Liquid foundation tends to blend with your natural skin better than powder foundations and also prevents your face from having a glossy and shiny appearance. For those who seek a more natural appearance from their make-up, they may find liquid foundation will best suit their needs.

Powder foundations may not give quite as natural a look as liquid foundations do, but they are equally as easy to apply. In fact, since powder foundation does not take as long to blend as liquid foundation, many find that the application of powder foundation takes less time than that of liquids. Powder is also a perfect choice for people with excessively oily skin. The powder can help to dry out your skin and may also be handy on days when a lot of perspiration may occur. The dry, powdery foundation keeps skin dry and cool. Some foundation-wearers also report that powder foundation gives a lighter feel than liquids. This means that after application you are less likely to feel as if you are wearing foundation at all. In addition to providing a light and airy feel, another benefit of powder foundation is that it blends well with sunscreen. For women who find themselves outside in the sun often, powder foundation may be a smart choice.

The choice between powder and liquid foundations does not stop there. Many make-up companies have recently developed liquid-to-powder foundations in an attempt to blend the benefits of both liquid foundation and powder foundation into one product. Like powder foundations, liquid-to-powder foundations tend to feel light when applied to the skin. In addition, liquid-to-powder foundations also provide long lasting wear. However, this type of foundation can clash with certain types of skin. Although liquid-to-powder works extremely well on oily skin, it can prove to be a bad choice for people who have dry skin, as it can leave dry skin looking patchy.

The best way to decide on the most appropriate foundation type for you is to get as much information as possible and try out all the options. Visiting a make-up counter can help you decide on a foundation. Talking with either a make-up artist or even a dermatologist can help you make up your mind as well. A dermatologist will also provide an intellectual view on what type of foundation is the healthiest choice for your skin. If you have had skin problems in the past you may find it helpful to consult with a professional such as a dermatologist. Whatever way you choose to pursue finding the best foundation for you, once you have found the right choice you will likely be satisfied with the result.

Tags: Cosmetics/Make-up